Media

Judy gets back to clogging after stroke

On a cue of “Let’s clog Shirl,” Judy Phillips, stroke survivor, and Shirley Cheah, Peninsula Health Physiotherapist, performed a type of folk dance called clogging in front of a large group of Allied Health staff at Peninsula Health’s Golf Links Road Rehabilitation Centre. Comfortable in the limelight after a career as a children’s television presenter, Judy says she had one clear goal after her stroke last June – “I really wanted to get back to clogging.”

The toe tapping show and lunch on 4 September was organised as part of Stroke Week and most of Peninsula Health’s Stroke Detours Team members who worked with Judy were there to enjoy it. “They supported me when I really needed it and I would have been very lost and confused if it hadn’t been for them,” says Judy.

The Stroke Detours Team works with patients in their homes following their discharge from hospital after a stroke.

“Judy’s great cardiovascular fitness from clogging was a big factor in her recovery. Our team worked with Judy, and her husband Bob, at their home to help Judy get back to doing what she loves to do, including clogging,” says Stroke Detours Team Leader Nicola Bronts.

Judy spent many years hosting ‘Fredd Bear’s Breakfast-a-Go-Go’ five days a week on Channel 10, which is where she met her two time Logie-winning husband Bob Phillips, who was the show’s Producer. Judy shared details of her journey and heartfelt thanks with Allied Health Staff at the Stroke Week event. When asked what she would do differently if she had her stroke again, Judy didn’t hesitate in her response.

“As soon as I felt something was wrong I should have called an ambulance. I didn’t do that, I went to bed and it was Bob who insisted we called an ambulance.” Judy’s message to other stroke survivors is to never give up. “Put your boxing gloves on and be positive, every day is a new day.”

The Stroke Foundation urges people to recognise stroke and Think F.A.S.T